Question for Nurse Managers/Hiring Managers

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I currently have an ADN and am considering going on to BSN (possibly MSN). My question for the nurse managers/hiring managers is this. Are 100% online bridge programs considered "legitimate" by managers? There is a program I am considering that is entirely online with no clinical requirement, which works very well for my schedule with work, kids,etc. Are there programs out there that you as a manager consider better than others? All feedback is appreciated! FYI... I'm in the Milwaukee area if that matters.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

No prob here with online programs.

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I am about to finish my BSN with Western Governors University. My employer is happy with it, and I'm hoping to transition into a management position just after I graduate.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Good luck, NC!

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I did Chamberlain and it has never been an issue when applying for jobs. My unit old manager and asst. manager went to Western Gov. Univ. I also worked with about 6 other people who finished Chamberlain and they have not had any issues either. One has already started grad school for NP at traditional university. It is an accredited school and I am very pleased with my experience there. Good luck!

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Nursing Manaagement.

A BSN = a BSN. I've done many courses online and let me tell you, I think the online courses are much more difficult. We only hire BSNs with a GPA of >3.4. If online works for you, go for it. Good Luck

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

agree with kayern. Get the degree. You will learn the job when you do it

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Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

Make sure the BSN is at a school that has accreditation for teaching nursing. If it does it would be no issue because the courses going from AD to BS are light on nursing content.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

My manager's manager got her Master's online at Excelsior. I got my BSN online and am currently getting my MSN online, and I had a job interview Friday for an assistant manager position and the manager who interviewed me did not seem to have any problems with where I got it, just that I had it. In fact, she asked if I was doing it online, and asked several questions about the format, she seemed very interested and impressed after I told her that it takes a high level of self-discipline and motivation.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

I don't know the quality of most programs, so as long as you have the paper, it probably won't make any difference. The only possible difference is if your degree comes from a school with an extremely good, or extremely bad reputation.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

I don't see that there is much of a distinction. To be honest, my agency doesn't even care if the person has a BSN. I'm a DON, and I have an ADN.

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
... my agency doesn't even care if the person has a BSN...

Think the colleges are raking in everybody's bucks based on all the hoopla over BSNs, MSNs, etc.

I'm all for education (hold four degrees and three professional licenses in different disciplines). But what's been going on in nursing for the past five to 15 years I see as attempts to better sell the profession to the public.

IMHO, pseudo-education. And the schools jumped at the money-making opportunities early on... great financial foresight on their part.

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